"I am no stranger to cancel culture. I was cancelled after 9/11 simply for being Middle Eastern, as Arab terrorists were behind the attacks on the twin towers. This is despite the fact that I am not Arab, nor am I, contrary to popular opinion, a terrorist. In certain circles there have been calls to boycott my UK tour Namaste, a show in which I try to explore the nuances of the complex geopolitical landscape of the Middle East."
"a concerned friend texted me, I think you're at risk of invalidating your right to make jokes about anything important. My show in Riyadh had a lot of material about the Saudis themselves. The perception that we, as comedians, were all being paid to be silent was as laughable as the idea that Dave Chappelle, a hugely successful comic with an estimated worth of $70m (52m), was doing his show in Riyadh for the money."
A comedian declined Saudi offers for 15 years over the country's human rights record but accepted a recent gig after sensing a push for change. External critics urged boycotts and accused participating comedians of complicity or silence. The comedian experienced cancellation after 9/11 for being Middle Eastern despite not being Arab or a terrorist. The Riyadh performance operated under clear restrictions—no jokes about the royal family, no disrespecting Islam and no humiliation of the government—yet included material about Saudis. Rumors and inaccurate reporting about performers' pay amplified controversy and public suspicion.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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